HEAR THIS: Tarrus Riley, Ding Dong, Beenie Man, Tifa & Charly Black “Bring Di Beat” (Jamaica Remix)
Now A Straight Winnings With Olympic fever in full swing, you already know “Bring The Beat,” the big tune by Machel Montano and Tessane Chin, is in heavy rotation. Now, just in time for the Rio Olympiad Chimney Records is bringing the beat with a “Jamaica Remix” of the winnings anthem with musical Gold Medalists Tarrus Riley, Ding Dong, […]
Sean Paul Comes Through To “Dutty Up” OVO Fest Night 1
The Dancehall Superstar Even Dropped His Tory Lanez Remix Although Beenie Man was unable to attend OVO Fest Night One as planned due to health issues (The Doctor was undergoing treatment for the Zika virus), surprise guest Sean Paul came through just in the nick of time to dutty up the place. Running through all […]
Reasoning with Beenie Man: “The music is Jamaican; the problem is, America can make it too.”
The Doctor Talks Drake, Popcaan & Kartel “Drake from Canada—Beenie Man from Jamaica—dah one yah a murda! Zagga.” When Drake’s album Views dropped at the end of April, Popcaan fans were surprised to hear a new voice on “Controlla”—a vintage Beenie Man sample appeared where Popcaan’s lyrics used to be. With Drake’s album topping the […]
Kingston Nights: A Jamaican Street Dance Photo Essay
Robert Cooper Photographs What Real Dancehall Looks Like Right Now “I started listening to dancehall during the late ’80s,” recalls photographer and videographer Robert Cooper, who’s covered the Hartford, CT dancehall scene for some time. “I began photographing dancehall parties and concerts 8 years ago, and began writing about dancehall also, so being able to […]
HEAR THIS: Krept & Konan ft. Jeremih, Beenie Man & Popcaan “Freak of the Week” Remix
Di Playground Riddim Ah No Play Play Ting South London grimesters K&K serve up hip hop and grime on their new mixtape The Long Way Home. The breakout single, featuring DJ Mustard on the beats and Chi-town singer Jeremih on the hook, has a definite dancehall flavor—inspired by the mighty Playground Riddim—which inspired Beenie and […]
Free Up The Herbs: 40 of Reggae’s Highest-Grade Ganja Anthems
Marijuana Laws May Be Changing, But These Rebel Music Selections Will Keep Playing Forever Every day brings new headlines about voters in the U.S.A. passing medical marijuana laws and American states decriminalizing reefer—even as the Federal government reserves the right to swoop in and prosecute whoever however whenever. Meanwhile venture capitalists continue to align themselves […]
Sizzla, Popcaan, Aidonia, Teflon & Kiprich Shut Down Ghetto Splash 2014
That’s What You Call A Grand Finale Christmas is high season in Jamaica, an endless string of packed-out parties and star-studded stage shows. Even if money gets tight around the holidays, there’s no need to buy expensive tickets for some of the best shows of the season as artists show love to their fans with […]
WATCH THIS: Shabba Ranks Rules On Da Reggae Tip 2014
Beenie, Shaggy, Sanchez, and Spice Help the Hot 97 Crew Kick off Labor Day Weekend 2014 This past Friday, just like every other Friday before a Labor Day Weekend in recent memory, a galaxy of reggae and dancehall stars descended on Hot 97’s annual showcase On Da Reggae Tip. Just as in years past, the […]
Reggae Sumfest 2014: Party Tun Up
REGGAE SUMFEST marks changing times in dancehall, hip-hop, and the leveling of the pop playing field Whenever the third week of July rolls around, reggae lovers know it’s that time again—the time when Reggae Sumfest takes over Mobay for 3 solid days of entertainment. Though it’s dubbed “the greatest reggae show on earth,” Sumfest has […]
Reasoning with Wiz Khalifa: “I Get it Grown For Me”
Taylor Gang Boss Rocks Reggae Sumfest In Montego Bay, Readies Blacc Hollywood Album This past weekend Wiz Khalifa made his first trip to Jamaica to rock Reggae Sumfest 2014. Before the big show he sat down poolside with RGAT to talk about his love for Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. Listen as Wiz weighs in […]
Johnny Gourzong’s Reggae Sumfest Preview
Sumfest Boss Shares His Personal Highlights—And Says Octane vs Vegas Was “Blown Out of Proportion” It’s that time of year again. As most reggae lovers around the world know by now, during the third week of July all roads lead to Montego Bay for Reggae Sumfest. And with just one more day to go before […]
WATCH THIS: Aidonia “80s Dancehall Style” Official Music Video
Aidonia Salutes Veterans and Vinyl Many of Jamaica’s musical legends never predicted the millions of fans, felt the weight of money or received instant gratification through social media the way today’s artists do. These musical soldiers earned their stripes the real way, with unquestionable authenticity. One must remember , as Supercat indicated in his recent interview with […]